New Products

Mini System Addition
Astec Advanced Power Systems supports the addition of the Helios Mini System 1000/48 to its Mini System family. The compact, high-power-density solution provides a complete front-access solution for powering data routers or any 1,000W communications application. Built around the Helios Rectifier 500/48, the system offers an auto-ranging capability that allows operation from either 110Vac or 220Vac sources. The unit occupies three rack units of shelf space and is available in 19-inch or 23-inch rack-mount configurations. In addition, the system features hot-insertable rectifiers, alarm reporting and support for two battery strings.
www.astecaps.com or 514-832-6600

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Gaskets
Chomerics, a division of Parker Hannifin, has unveiled a line of Soft-Shield 5000 EMI gaskets designed to meet shielding and mechanical performance requirements of commercial electronic enclosures used in cellular communications. The gaskets consist of an electrically conductive fabric jacket over soft urethane foam and require less than 1-pound/inch closure force to achieve 40% deflection. The units provide >90dB or EMI shielding from 30MHz to 1GHz and more than 75dB at 10GHz. Gaskets are available in cut lengths, as peel-and-stick parts on film release backers and die cuts.
www.chomerics

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GSM Wireless Solution
Microcellular Systems offers MiNet, a GSM wireless office communications system providing scaleable dedicated on-site and multisite networks for companies to improve customer service, business efficiency and cost savings. MiNet offers mobile least-cost-routing through local switching, call transfer, differential tariffing, flexible number plans, short messaging and in-company user management. The solution is designed for coverage extension, dedicated in-building and product-development applications.

In addition, the company's GSM Wireless Office-Call Record Analyzer is a software support tool that allows the calling patterns of wireless-office subscribers to be monitored. The tool provides the called and calling party numbers, the answer and release times, and the call duration of each call made or received by a mobile phone within the wireless-office network.
marketing@microcellular.net

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Smart Phone
LG InfoComm's LGI-3000W is a CDMA digital smart phone that offers Web connectivity along with the functions of a PDA. The phone offers a 12-line graphical LCD and a built-in migration path for the 4.1 version of Phone.com microbrowser that will enable the LGI-3000W to display complete graphics and text. The display panel features a menu for navigation between phone functions and PIM applications. The personal organizer holds more than 1,000 names and numbers, and offers PDA-style notepad and sketchpad functions. The LGI-3000W also functions as a wireless modem for sending and receiving faxes from a standard laptop or desktop PC.

Sprint PCS and LG InfoComm have announced a Memorandum of Understanding under which both companies expect that Sprint PCS will be the first to offer the LGI-3000W phone. The agreement is valued at approximately $150 million. Shipment of LG InfoComm's Internet-ready wireless phones to Sprint PCS is expected this spring.
www.lginfocomm.com or 858-635-5300

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Battery Series Addition
GNB Technologies has introduced the Marathon M12V45F VRLA battery designed to deliver backup in distributed power and wireless applications. The 12V 45A battery features a lead-tin-calcium-silver alloy that provides 10+ years of design float life at 77°F. The patent-pending, diamond-reinforced, sidewall design strengthens the jar, eliminating the need for a steel metal jacket in high-temperature applications.
www.gnb.com or 630-629-5200

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Test System
Wavetek Wandel Goltermann's MMF-4350 is a family of wireless phone testers designed to meet point-of-sale and filter service requirements for AMPS, CDMA and TDMA phones. Using a symbolic GUI, the system tests all parameters and functions, and test results can be printed out and given to customers. This eliminates erroneously reported defects, thereby saving on shipping costs, loaner-pool maintenance and lost revenue due to reduced network traffic. In addition, repair personnel are able to concentrate on returns that actually are defective.
919-941-5730

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Circuit Protection
eSurge Blox from linkLINE Communications (formerly AC Data Systems) is designed for single-phase load centers, providing protection for all circuits in the distribution panel. This eliminates the need for individual plug-in strips or for mounting a separate surge-suppression panel and minimizes mounting space. A green LED indicates that the unit is undamaged and a red LED is an alarm indicator, which signals that the suppressor should be replaced, even if protection continues to be provided. An on/off switch can silence the alarm tone, although the red LED will continue to alert that the suppressor is damaged.
www.linkline.com or 888-254-6587

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Personal Internet Access
A personal broadband access system is being developed by ArrayComm, which will allow anytime, anywhere connection to the Internet by individual users at speeds of up to 1Mb/s and at costs lower than today's costs for dial-up service.

The new access system will use ArrayComm's IntelliCell-BURST (i-BURST) technology. Operating on as little as 5MHz of unpaired spectrum, i-BURST will outperform today's cellular data solutions by more than 400 times and future 3G wireless solutions by more than 40 times, according to Nitin Shah, newly-appointed ArrayComm executive vice president & general manager of the Internet products division.

ArrayComm's technology, which is portable as opposed to mobile, eliminates the interference and dropped connections associated with cellular, and uses fewer base stations. A typical deployment will deliver in excess of 40Mb/s throughput per cell.

The technology is targeted at consumers and individual business users. Services include standard Internet and VPN-based intranet access as well as vertically tailored e-commerce services.

According to ArrayComm, the wireless industry has invested billions in digital multiplexing, but little has been done to enhance the spatial properties of radio signals. Spatial multiplexing (smart-antenna technology) is part of the IntelliCell technology.

Shah said ArrayComm has applied for experimental licenses in the 2GHz range and will be trialing i-BURST by the end of the year.
www.arraycomm.com

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MP3 Phone Technology
Samsung's dual-band/dual-mode MP3 Phone allows consumers to download and play music directly from the Internet as well as transfer music from their own compact discs onto handsets. According to Samsung, the MP3 player does not interfere with the phone functions. When the MP3 player is active, a beep tells users that a call is coming through. The Web-enabled MP3 Phone also allows users to browse the Internet while listening to their MP3 files. Browsing the Internet and downloading files are simplified by using T9 text-input software. Between five and eight songs can be stored in the MP3 Phone and replayed repeatedly with digital sound quality through the stereophonic sound system and the remote sound-control headset. The phone employs USB porting to download or upload previously saved files on the computer. The MP3 Phone also includes many of Samsung's features such as screensaver capabilities, voice-activated dialing and support for call-management services.
www.samsungtelecom.com

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Broadband Solution
Alcatel USA's Evolium 9900 broadband-wireless-access solution is a point-to-multipoint radio system designed for small, medium and large businesses in dense urban and suburban locations. The end-to-end solution provides last-mile broadband access, voice and Internet services, such as LAN and virtual-private-network interconnections, PBX applications, and virtual leased-line services without installing a physical wire.
972-996-2453

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WAP Services Platform
CMG Telecommunications' WAP Service Broker (WSB) allows you to selectively package Internet content into a differentiated and personalized information service for subscribers. With WSB, users can create personalized home pages, and WSB supports the addition, deletion and modifications to the menu of mobile Internet services. Authorized and authenticated access to the system and to applications is handled through the security and encryption mechanisms embedded in the WSB architectures. WSB is WAP 1.1 compliant, and interoperability testing has been conducted with handset vendors.
www.cmgamericas.com

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Modular Power System
La Marche Manufacturing's Modular Power System (MPS) is designed for compact, high-power system applications. The MPS is pre-wired with one to four rectifier shelves holding 16Vdc to 48Vdc hot-swappable model A86 switchmode rectifiers or one to three rectifier shelves holding 12Vdc to 24Vdc A86 rectifiers. This allows the system to supply up to 800A at 48Vdc or 1,200A at 24Vdc. The unit allows for expansion as the demand for power increases. The A86 rectifiers provide current-limiting circuitry, voltage regulation, power-factor correction, and are hot swappable.
www.lamarchemfg.com or 847-299-1188

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Universal Shopping Portal
IQorder.com features the Q1 application, which allows consumers to comparison shop, request more information, and buy or save product information for future reference using minibrowser-enabled cellular phones, palm devices and 2-way pagers. The consumer is able to enter an item's model number, style, manufacturer or barcode information to locate the product. Wish lists, pricing alerts and price-history capabilities are built in along with friendly reminders that keep track of events such as birthdays, anniversaries and appointments.

The company offers comparison shopping on CDs, videos, books, computer hardware and software, consumer electronics, health and nutrition, and office products.
www.iqorder.com

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Enclosure
Rittal has modified the design of its ES 5000 enclosure to create the wall-mount/pole-mount CS outdoor product line, which is designed for applications such as communications/data networks, wireless communications and paging systems. The enclosure features a double-walled construction and foam-gasketed door to offer protection against vandalism and weather conditions. An all-aluminum, uni-body construction provides corrosion protection and lightweight installation, and the unit's modular design protects against earthquakes and shocks. Standard features include a bottom gland-plate opening and non-structural roof. Accessories are available for outdoor applications including thermostats and panel heaters.
www.rittal-corp.com or 800-477-4000

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Telecom Resource-Management Solution
Schema Group's Falcom telecom resource-management solution offers wireless companies an integrated approach to solving bandwidth scarcity problems by handling asset and frequency management, network planning and data restructuring. As a result, providers can respond more rapidly to market changes. The solution's auto analysis and planning capabilities enable wireless-service providers to determine the best use of resources, realize greater capital efficiency and improve quality of service. The platform consists of Falcom Planner and Falcom Builder, and supports AMPS, GSM, iDEN and TDMA technologies. Falcom Builder allows service providers to automatically create accurate multilayered impact matrix data, and Falcom Planner generates optimal channel-allocation plans for wireless networks.
www.schema.com

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Web Portal
ClickServices.com has launched a multilingual Web portal, which allows personalization of information such as news, stock updates and e-mail through any portable device. Formerly in Beta testing, the open architecture of ClickServices.com's Web site gives the choice of selecting any carrier and any legacy or WAP devices such as mobile phones, pagers and PDAs. Twelve different languages are accessible through the Web site, and users can communicate in the language of their choice as well as communicate simultaneously in multiple languages.
www.clickservices.com

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World Phone
The Nokia 8890 is a world phone that is operational where network service is available on five continents and more than 120 countries. The dual-band GSM 900MHz/GSM 1.9GHz phone is expected to be available around the world in 2Q00. With a blue-tinted illuminated display and weighing 3.2 ounces, the Nokia 8890 combines voice dialing, predictive text input and picture messaging. Its design resembles Nokia's 8850 and features a matte aluminum magnesium cover. The phone has an infrared link for wireless communications with a compatible Nokia phone or a compatible PC or printer, and the phone supports standard communications protocols. For example, you can transfer phone numbers with the infrared link between compatible phones or you can download new phone numbers and ringing tones over the air.
www.nokia.com

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Dot Commerce
By Tarre Beach, Supplements Editor

Here is the buzz on some of wireless' up-and-coming WAP applications and m-commerce services.

• MapInfo has announced the availability of miSites and miDirections, two new Web-based applications for customer-relationship management. Using WAP or a Java-based application, subscribers can get directions to a company's offices based on the user's location. The new applications are designed to help companies offer better service to their Web customers.

"This information will give carriers the added edge in customer relationship building," said Aileen Heal, MapInfo telecom market director.
www.mapinfo.com

• Upstart Internet account-management company Yodlee has launched its service to 17 premier online companies.

"We are a real personalized account manager; you don't just check a box and a vague profile is made up," said Shailesh Rao, Yodlee account manager for business development.
www.yodlee.com

• EDS has unveiled its Web computing suite of services. Company executives describe the suite as an e-business services solution. The suite offers end-to-end computing, which delivers Web hosting, security, network services and application service provisioning (ASP).

The provisioning consists of two customized offerings for enterprises or packaged rental applications. Enterprise ASP provides integration solutions and customized Internet solutions. Wholesale ASP services include a portfolio of applications available to companies that want to resell these applications. A complete security package also is included.
www.eds.com

• Lucent's enhanced short-message-service-center (SMSC) software will provide a wireless data transport method for WAP.

The SMSC with WAP application will enable service providers to host browser-based wireless data and mobile Internet services. The new software also will allow seamless roaming support for mobile-originated text messages across both TDMA and CDMA networks, although SMSC won't support CDMA networks until the adoption of the WAP Forum's specifications for data delivery.
www.lucent.com

• Infinite Technologies has announced Wireless Transport Layer Security for WAPlite, a corporate WAP server product that connects WAP-compatible phones to Internet- and intranet-based applications.
www.infinitemail.com

• Diversinet, an m-commerce security-solutions provider, together with InfoSpace.com, features wireless banking applications on a RIM Blackberry pager and an Ericsson GSM WAP phone.

Using Diversinet's Passport technology, an optimized PKI provides end-to-end security and supports both WAP and non-WAP device platforms through a single infrastructure.
www.dvnet.com

• GERS' CustomerDirect, Enterprise1 and Planalyst are three new e-business solutions. The retail systems' electronic solutions are capable of integrating the entire enterprise from the consumer demand to retailer supply.
www.gers.com

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The Telematics Way

Motorola Telematics Communications Group has announced several new agreements to assist in driver and automobile interaction. Via wireless Web access and other wireless technologies, systems soon will provide travel information (traffic updates, parking, airline flight status), messaging (voicemail and e-mail retrieval), information (sports, weather, stock market updates and Internet access), and entertainment (audio chat rooms, audio books, magazines, newspapers and movie reviews).

One announcement is that Israel-based Phone-Or and Motorola are joining forces to bring Phone-Or's background-noise-suppression (BNS) microphone system to Motorola's Telematics applications. Phone-Or microphones are expected to be available in the Motorola Telematics system model in 2001. The integration of the Phone-Or BNS system optical microphone with the Telematics systems will enhance voice-recognition capabilities in the automobile by eliminating ambient background noise.

Cellport Systems' Cellport 3000 universal hands-free system also is a new part of Motorola Telematics systems. The hands-free system can accommodate a variety of phones through the use of an inexpensive pocket adapter and will be available to Motorola Telematics customers this spring. This collaboration allows Motorola Telematics to become a communications platform in the automobile, regardless of the phone model used by consumers. Therefore, phone manufacturers can become a part of the Motorola Telematics solution providing a faster roll-out of Telematics systems. The Cellport system includes a docking station that is installed into the Motorola Telematics unit. Then, the pocket adapter, designed for the customer's make and model of wireless phone, is snapped into the docking station. When a customer changes phones, the pocket adapter is removed and replaced.
www.telematics.motorola.com

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Wireless Internet for the Car

InfoMove has developed services that deliver a range of real-time, customized Internet content and traffic data through portable devices connected in cars. InfoMove uses Internet, wireless, automotive, GPS and text-to-speech technologies to bring together disparate information sources. This integrated approach enables drivers and passengers to place their devices in cradles in their cars and receive personalized content including real-time traffic advisories, audible turn-by-turn directions, vehicle diagnostics and maintenance alerts, emergency services, location-based advertising, and text-to-speech-enabled e-mail capabilities. InfoMove's proprietary technology platform uses a direct interface with the car. The platform includes a vehicle-monitoring system that sends information back to InfoMove's server and enables InfoMove to send the user maintenance notices and location-based advertising. Wireless Internet access will be provided through existing CDMA networks, and in the future, through 3G and other wireless networks.

The company has announced strategic partnerships with Etak, a provider of traveler information services, and the Intelligent Transport Systems Research Program at the University of Washington. InfoMove and the University of Washington will cooperate on the development of a predictive traffic information system to forecast traffic flow by combining profiled content and data points gathered from individual cars on the road. Etak, in cooperation with Metro Networks, will provide its nationwide traffic incident data to InfoMove's service. These agreements will allow each car to become a node on InfoMove's Internet-based traffic network.

Also, Clifford Electronics is partnering with InfoMove to design and manufacture a specialized information and security system, InfoTrac 1, for the car to connect commuters to InfoMove's wireless-based service. Beginning in 3Q00, the system will be sold and installed through Clifford's network of 4,500 car and aftermarket dealerships.
www.infomove.com